It's the season to make lists!

Hello Friends.  I woke up this morning to a blanket of snow.  I guess there is no escaping it living here in Northern Ontario.  I was able to get my greenery into their pots and decorated for Christmas before that white stuff came and my fingers froze!  Brody and I have been enjoying some lovely walks along the tractor trail.  The bush looks so different without the leaves. Not the colourful palate of fall, just many shades of brown! Somehow, it always makes me feel like snuggling in a quilt made from flannel.  Hummmm!

Back at the house, it has been a productive few weeks here at the studio. I have made a good start at my gift list and I have gotten to some neglected chores around the house. Importantly, I finished a table runner that has been added to the “In Studio Sessions” one-day workshop repertoire. 

This runner is by Doug Leko called “Star Light”, found in his book Town Square.  Doug constructs his creations using Studio 180 tools.  If you have time, check out the many other patterns that he has on his website here.

If this runner is something that you are interested in making here with me, just give me a shout and we can arrange a day that is convenient for you to came to the studio.   For more information about this runner click here.

Just in time for this runner - look what arrived at the studio this week!

I have been able to carve out some precious piecing time for my own quilting. Remember that list I made of things to have done for Christmas?  Well, I am happy to report that I am well on my way to completing the quilt that will be a gift for one of the girls at my husband’s office.   

Almost finished is a new wall hanging inspired by my friend Leianne Monro McCallum (a quilting teacher in Uxbridge, Ontario). She recently posted a picture of these pieced tree blocks from a book by Kim Diehl, called Simple Christmas.  I loved the tree, but wanted only one tree and for it to be a little larger. So, I made it bigger and used my Tucker tools to construct the units.  I will repost when I have it finished but right now it is on the design wall. I am very excited about it and think it will look wonderful on the kitchen wall.   Gosh, now I have to finish it for sure…

Despite all this planning, I have not yet pulled out my unfinished Christmas projects from last year – I guess the new ones are more exciting.  How is your “To make for Christmas” list coming? 

The Storm at Sea workshop held on November 5th & 6th was a big success.  We were in a new venue (which always has me a bit nervous) but I did not blow any fuses and the room worked really well.  The quilters out did themselves with all their brilliant different colour combinations!  By the end of the weekend they were well on their way to finishing their projects.  A weekend of fun and learning with friends is just what is needed before the busy holiday season sets in. 

I am now back in the studio full time again, available if there is a project you are having problems with or need help starting.  Every day I try to get one thing off my list for Christmas, with my goal being a few days before the family arrives to just chill and quilt maybe!  I’ll let you know how that works out for me.  

Thanks for dropping by.  Until next time, stay safe, find that snow shovel and pull out a UFO!

Happy Halloween!

Hello Friends,  Happy Halloween everyone!  I have just returned from London England where I was visiting our youngest daughter.  She recently moved into a new flat and I was excited to see her new digs.   This trip was made even more memorable as I brought my oldest sister along.  This was her first trip to Europe.  She had requested an additional adventure, so we did a side trip to Paris for 4 days.  There is so much history in Europe.  As we travelled around, my sister would recall learning and reading about the places we visited.  It all had a bit of a story book feel.  In London, we visited such famous places a The Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and had a ride in the London Eye.  In Paris, we walked through Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, visited the Eiffel Tower, and spent some time in the Louvre.

While my sister was taking in the famous art, I of course, was photographing the tiles on the floor. You never know where your next quilt inspiration is going to come from.

The streets in London were beginning to be decorated for Christmas.  I have been so focused on my upcoming workshop and this trip that I was totally caught off guard when I realized that I had only 6+ weeks to get it all  together for Christmas.  Oh those best laid plans!  I recall having a grand scheme earlier this summer that I shared with all of you, but that seems to have gone to the way side.  So, regroup and refocus.  I have a large quilt to make as a gift and several small novelty gifts.  I will keep you updated on my progress.

Tuffets are still on the studio workshop list, so if you are interested in making one, just give me  call and we can set up a time to have tuffet class at the studio.  

I have been asked to teach a Rapid Fire Lemoyne Class in Sturgeon Falls at Diane's Creative Elements Quilt Shop, Saturday November 26,  11am to 3pm.  If your in the vacinity, and would like to learn this technique, along with spending the day with me, :)  give the shop a call and book your spot.  Click here for more information.

The Storm at Sea Workshop takes place this weekend (November 5&6), and I will be spending my time this week putting the finishing touches on my lesson plan and materials.  If you have signed up and have any last minute questions, feel free to give me a shout now that I am back. 

Thanks for dropping by.  I will have lots of workshop pictures to share in my next post so until  then, stay safe, play in the leaves and eat some candy.

My favourite time of year!

Hello Friends.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful Holiday weekend.  This is my favourite time of year.  The brisk morning air, the geese honking as they congregate at the river and the onset of the leaves turning colour. 

Thank you to my daughter, who is at camp this weekend, and took this picture of a morning visitor.  Who needs TV when you get entertainment out the window!

Nature is getting ready for the arrival of winter and so are we here at the Studio.  I have a new section added to my webpage.  Listed under Upcoming Events you will find, "In Studio Specialty Sessions".  This is where you will find a list of one day workshops I am offering here at my studio.  I will be adding to this section as time goes on so check back regularly.  Workshop #1 is a Tuffet. Click here for more information.

My hubby gets a great kick out of the names of some of these projects, and has now started to call me Miss Muffet.  HaHa!

I was finally able to get my design walls installed this week.  It has been a dream of mine to have many sliding design walls so that I can have more then one quilt on the go at a time.  There is also room for the students to work on their projects while in the studio.  Thanks Alain for the help! 

With the Quiltmaker Magazine hitting the news stands, I was asked to write a guest blog about my quilt that was featured in the magazine.  The blog further details my inspiration and construction techniques I used when making my quilt "Di-Rects-ional".  To read the Quiltmaker Blog called Quilty Pleasures click here. 

The Storm at Sea workshop is filling up nicely so if you are thinking about joining me for the weekend keep in mind time is ticking by!

This weeks Storm at Sea inspirational photo is one I refer to as a double block because it has the Diamond Rects units all around the centre square squared.  This gives the quilt a whole new look. 

Thanks for dropping by.  Until next time, stay safe,  enjoy your weekend and watch out for the bears.